From wineries and air-borne adventures, to water sports, biking and food, this ultimate summer bucket list has got you covered.
Memories are the currency of summer, and making good ones is a whole lot easier when the bucket list you’re working with is a “no-miss” affair.
From wineries and air-borne adventures, to water sports, biking and food, this ultimate summer bucket list has got you covered. Here are 50 different ways to make the most of the Margaret River Region this summer.
1. Set sail with Eclipse Expeditions on a luxury catamaran across Geographe Bay, and enjoy sun-soaked decks, chef-prepared meals, premium local wines and secluded beaches.
2. Then dial up the adrenaline with an expert-guided jet-ski tour with Dunsborough Jet Ski Tours, skimming along the coastline for an unforgettable dose of high-speed fun.
3. Find your flow with immersive wellness experiences at TAMA Wellness or embrace the pure fun of pygmy goat yoga at Mr Barval Wines.
4. For something more personalised, book a bespoke yoga and meditation session with Amber, or indulge in one of the many health and wellness offerings at Flourish Wellness.
5. Escape the heat by going underground! Embark on a cave adventure with the Capes Foundation, exploring the stunning Jewel Cave, the magical Lake Cave, and the fascinating Mammoth Cave.
6. Savour summer with beautifully curated picnics, from secret picnic adventures that uncover hidden gems across Busselton and Dunsborough.
7. While you’re in the area, drop into Blue Manna Bistro’s seafood shop for ocean-fresh local fish, chef-made takeaway meals and their famous chowder, perfect for effortless summer feasting.
8. Make your bucket list even more delicious at TemperTemper Fine Chocolate’s newly opened Margaret River location, or head to Little Otto’s Big Choc Shop in Busselton. If you prefer your sweet treat cold, try Margaret River Fro Yo, which is right next door to Scoops Farm, so you can enjoy your frozen yoghurt overlooking grazing animals.
9. After your sweet treat fix, challenge yourself on the high wires at Forest Adventures. With 77 different activities over 6 courses, it’s likely you will need a couple of visits to clock them all. Further south in Dunsborough is another fantastic high ropes and adventure course Next Level Monkey Business, now offering Twilight Sessions!
10. While you’re up in the region’s north, visit the nearby Busselton Jetty for a sunset walk with a difference. Keep your eyes peeled for the aquatic wildlife, including dolphins, octopus and sea lions. Or join in a sunset Underwater Observatory tour to see beneath the waves in a different light.
11. Experience life at the edge of the Cape at the award-winning Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Interp Centre and get a feel for the hardships that helped form this community.
12. Take the day off from driving and let Rustico Ride handle the transport to Rustico at Hay Shed Hill, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy a decadent degustation meal.
13. If you’d prefer a more personalised, boutique-style experience, tour some of the region’s iconic wine producers with Oak Drive Co’s brand new Steven’s Valley Tour or join The Journey Margaret River for a personalised private wine tour.
14. Give yourself the gift of a Koomal Dreaming experience, and let local Indigenous custodian, Josh Whiteland, give you a unique viewpoint into Country at his brand-new Meeting Place located at beautiful Ngilgi Cave.
15. Sip summer in a glass with Wild Lot Distillery. Track down one of their limited-edition seasonal gins, from the vibrant Passionfruit & Yuzu to the zesty return of Lime Wire Gin. Or, make a weekend of it at The Grove Distillery and explore their full range of award-winning liqueurs, whiskies, rums, gins, vodkas and more.
16. For a more hands-on experience, blend your own gin at Beyond Distilling’s Gin Academy. Or join the Margaret River Wine Academy and Tannin Road for their brand new Margaret River Icons Tour.
17. Let the vinyl spin at Strange Brew Wine Bar, brought to you by the team at Skigh Wine. Drop in for a glass, a charcuterie board and a soundtrack curated by vinyl DJs.
18. If a cold beer on a hot day is more your style, head to Margaret River Brewhouse. They’ve added four new taps, now pouring up to 20 locally brewed beers. Pop in from October to try their limited-edition coastal IPA, Sunseeker, a collaboration with Copper & Oak. Or, if you’re in Busselton, don’t miss Rocky Ridge Brewing Co’s latest brew, Juicy Mid, a breezy tropical haze that’s made for long, lazy afternoons.
19. From here, make the drive to Cape Mentelle and its open-air evening cinema, replete with a glass of Margaret River’s finest from the on-site bar.
20. If you’re feeling creative, head to Jacob Lyon Pottery in Cowaramup. Get your hands dirty, learn new skills and take home something you’ve made yourself. While your creative juices are flowing, head to Saltwater, Busselton’s new convention and performing arts centre. Set to open in 2026!
21. Then head south to Witchcliffe to enjoy a meal and a tasting at McHenry Hohnen Cellar Door and Vintners Wine Bar. Enjoy the same signature tastings but add a Mediterranean-inspired menu, featuring produce from McHenry Farm.
22. Or, Pack the perfect picnic and immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty. Don’t forget to include a loaf of this fresh, hot, organic woodfired bread, which comes out of the oven at 3pm. You’ll be lucky if half the loaf makes the drive there!
23. You’ve got the bread – now grab some fresh, cold-pressed, locally grown olive oil. It really is a superfood!
24. Head to Meelup – one of the region’s many beaches that are ideal for rolling out the picnic blanket. It’s calm, protected and excellent for swimming or paddle-boarding over summer.
25. After a swim at Meelup, head to Wise Wine and take in the sweeping ocean views. Start your day with breakfast overlooking the bay, enjoy a relaxed lunch from their fresh, ever-changing menu, or join their new Linner Summer Event Series on Friday and Saturday evenings.
26. Or, for a truly elevated experience, enjoy a picnic wine tasting at Passel Estate, where fine wines and tranquil vineyard views set the perfect scene.
27. Take your new perspective on a walk of the Cape to Cape track and see the region’s wild landscape with fresh eyes.
28. Chuck the kids off the jetty at Gnarabup Beach and race them to the pontoon.
29. Or why not try something new? Canoe the Margaret River, or discover bushtucker by kayak in a range of intimate tours that connect you to people and place.
30. Then book a stay among the trees at Chalet Grandis, Tree Chalets’ new premium chalet. Think cosy seating nook, a dedicated coffee and wine corner and an outdoor bath for taking in those South West sunsets filtered through the gum trees.
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31. Uncover Yallingup’s secrets. Not only is it home to some beautifully remote beaches, but this little hamlet was also once ground zero for early cave explorers. The Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience adds a whole new level to the iconic cave experience.
32. Take the kids to burn off some steam at one of these great playgrounds, bonus points for coffee nearby.
33. Indulge your inner artist with a tour of the local galleries, open studios and artisan shops stretching the length of the Cape, from Busselton down to Augusta.
34. Meet the producers at a range of markets that run year-round and give locals and visitors the opportunity to buy directly from growers and local artisans – including the award-winning Margaret River Farmer’s Market. Or check out Origins Market in Busselton, a thriving indoor market complete with local producers, growers, makers and great food stalls.
35. A self-drive paddock-to-plate experience can also be on the holiday agenda.
36. Pool, spa, beach, repeat – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort has everything to make summer perfect, including cocktails served straight to your pool lounge, an enticing day spa menu, a restaurant and bar with a bay view, and direct beach access. Book a Day at Bunker Bay pass for a day of serious summer indulgence.
37. If you’re travelling with a group, book into Indah Stays’ newest estate, Sundance in Yallingup. Two stunning villas set among landscaped gardens with lake views, your perfect base for a relaxed, sun-soaked getaway!
38. Don some flippers and explore the incredible underwater scenery of the region, with these great snorkel and dive spots.
39. Or for a different view, catch a stunning aerial perspective of the region on a Scenic Helicopters flight, with Chief Pilot and Margaret River local Jackson McLeod. They’ll also be hosting a pop-up at Aravina Estate’s summer festival.
40. Beer lovers can happily also find their own brand of heaven. Tour a few of the region’s incredible craft breweries. You’ll also find a range of local brews at Settler’s Tavern, where your coldie will pair brilliantly with the state’s best steak sandwich.
41. Get back to nature with a sunset at Surfer’s Point, home to the Margaret River Surf Pro and an epicentre for local surfers. Keep an eye out for the local fish and chip food truck and enjoy the spectacle.
42. Take a walk along the Cape To Cape Track from the Margaret River Mouth heading north towards Cape Mentelle.
43. Take a scenic lap of Gnarabup Bay via Stand Up Surfing or by the Busselton Jetty with SUP Life Busselton (while also getting in a pretty decent workout), or join a lesson at one of the surf schools to experience the adrenaline and joy of catching a wave. Try Yallingup Surf School, Margaret River Surf School, or Margaret River Surfing Academy.
44. Explore Voyager Estate in a whole new way, celebrate their sustainable credentials with one of their refreshed personalised wine experiences, from behind-the-scenes estate tours to hands-on wine blending sessions.
45. Take in the region’s mountain bike trails in Dunsborough and Margaret River, and get an appreciation for why these towns are becoming a Mecca for MTB enthusiasts in the southwest.
46. Leave paddle power behind and go on a quad-bike eco-adventure!
47. Get off the beaten track, and detour to view Hamelin Bay’s stunning stretch of white sand and azure water. Divers will love exploring the shipwreck just off the coast.
48. Finish your holidays with a true wind down at any of these spa retreats.
49. Let the kids loose among nature one last time with a visit to any of these animal farms and wildlife parks.
50. Do a last round of the region’s wineries for wine to take home, and start planning your next trip to the Margaret River Region – there’s always plenty more to explore.
